Ventilator wall and window blocks



.July 8, 1958 C. ROSE VENTILATOR WALL AND WINDOW BLOCKS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 9, 1955 TTORNE Y.

July 8, 1958 c. ROSE 2,842,042

VENTILATOR WALL AND wINnow BLocxs Filed Deo. 9, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

r""m-'I CARL ROSE, [lv/, I BY L MLM July 8) C. ROSE VENTILATOR WALL AND WINDOW BLOCKS j] l l5 l e7 o INVENT0R- CARL ROSE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent() VENTILTOR WALL AND WINDDW BLOCKS Carl-Rose, Miami, Fla., assignor to George Munday, Miami, Fla.

Application December 9, 1955, Serial No. 552,055

This invention relates to a building unit of the type adapted to be employed in multiple and whereby to be disposed within and constitute a part of afwall opening and with the severalrunits being of the type that provides louvered openings.

The invention contemplates a molded and preferably concrete block having end walls and a connecting reversely curved web portion and with the block being so constructed as to be reversible and thus facilitate the laying thereof and with a plurality of blocks inl superposed relation being substantially interlocking with respect to each other whereby to greatly facilitate the positioning of the blocks one upon the other to form a perpendicular rlouvered wall section.

The invention further contemplates: novel forms of reversely curved web members having water drain channels formed in an outer exposed surface of each member whereby rain water will be directed toward the opposite ends of the block to be drained away and without danger of being blown inwardly to the interior of a building.

` The invention further contemplates novel header forming members and novel sill forming members formed to have an interlocking engagement with the upper and lowermost blocks and whereby to facilitate the installation of the louvered wall sectionwithin a wall opening.

The invention further contemplates novel channel forming lip portions upon one end of each block whereby the channel forming members provide a vertical void throughout the height of a plurality of superposed blocks and wherein. reinforcing steel rods may be positioned to be embedded within concrete that is poured within the void for the full height of the device to form solid mullions.

The invention further contemplates novel supporting means for longitudinally extending reinforcing straps that extend for the full width of a group of superposed rblocks and with both the vertical and horizontal reinforcing rigidly anchoring the blocks against tendency to become dislodged or flexed under the inuence of exceptional wind pressure.

Novel features of construction and operation of the device will be clearly apparent during the course of the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein has been illustrated the preferred form of the device and wherein like characters of reference are employed to denote like parts throughout the several gures.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a louvered wall section embodying the invention,

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal section taken substantially on line 2-2 of Figure l,

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a block constructed in accordance with the invention,

Figure 4 is a top plan View of one block,

Figure 5 is an end view of one block and,

ice

Figure 6 is an enlarged vertical transverse section taken substantially on line 6 6 of Figure 1.

Referring. specifically to the drawings, the numeral 5 designates awall sectionthat is composed of a plurality of identical blocks, indicated as a whole by the numeral 6. Each of the blocks 6 embodies parallel end walls 7 and 8 and with the end wall 8 being extended to form lips 9. The lipsi 9 extend outwardly from the wall 8 a distance corresponding to the thickness of the wall and constitute the spacing means between. the blocks when disposed in a horizontal row. Each of the walls 7` and 8 is connected by a reversel-y curved web portion 10v and with the web portion upon its opposite faces being identical whereby the block may be reversed in end torend manner to thereby facilitate the mounting thereof within`V a wall` opening. Each ofthe webs 10 embodies an outwardly and downwardly curved portion 1-1. The outer face ofthe upwardly curved portion 12 is preferably formed smooth, as at 13 while its opposite face is'kngit-udinally` corrugated as at 14` and with the corrugations being upwardly directed toward` the upper outer corner ofV the block. The curve portion 11 of the web lllisl provided with a smooth inner face 15 and an outer corrugated face 16 and with the corrugations extending downwardly from the center of the block to terminate at an outer face of the end walls 7 and 8. The corrugation 16 as illustrated inFigure 6 constitutes the outer side `of the wall section and the corrugations serve to drain water toward the opposite ends ofthe block tothereby prevent the' accumulation of a film of water over `an ordinary smooth surface that may be blown into the building under the inuence of wind. The upper andl lower edges of the curved portions 11 and 12 terminate in longitudinallyI extending angular nose portions 17 that extend above andl below the upper `and"lowermarginaledges of the ends 7 and 8`.` `It will thus be apparent that by forming the drain corrugations 14 and 16 `that the block `can be reversed` and presentan identical face toward theweather at all times. Thevupper andlower"o`pposit`e free corners of the end walls 7 and 8l are angularly notched at 18 and 19 `whereby toV have interlocking seating engagement with the nose portions 117 when the blocks are` laid one upon the other. With the blocks disposed in overlying relationfasin Figure 6, it will be apparent thata reversely` curved aiipassage is disposed between each adjacent" pair of blocks whereby there will be a free circulation of air to theinterior 'of the building as indicated by the arrows. The lower marginal edge of each end 'wall 7 and' 8 is' further notched as at 20 whereby to` overlie a longitudinally extending metalliereinforcing strap 21 that extends for the full length of each horizontal group of blocks.` Y

To facilitate the installation of the` louvered blocks within a` wall opening there has been provided precast header formingblocks` 22. The header blocks have a width corresponding to the conventional eight inch concrete block walls and a length such as to be disposed in header forming relationeither as an integral header or to break `joint at the joints between the blocks 6.

-Theheader blocks 22 are grooved` longitudinally as at 23, and with the grooves being disposed outwardly of the outerV surface of the louveredwall and whereby to form awater stop against the drainage of water to the blocks 6. The blocks 22 inwardly of their rear edges are angularly grooved at 24 corresponding to the angular nose portion 17 of the blocks 6 and the blocks 22 are `also provided'with an angular rib 25 corresponding to the notches 18 and 19 and'whereby the header blocks have aseating interlocking engagement upon the uppermost course of block 6 whereby they are accurately aligned withv the blocks to project substantially an identical distance outwardly and inwardly of the louvered Wall. The blocks 22 are preferably cast from concrete and their upper surface forms the base for a conventional poured lintel. IThe lower course of blocks 6 is adapted to be laid upon a precast concrete sill member 26 and with the sill member being proportioned as to width in accordance with the header blocks 22. The upper surfaces of the sill blocks 26 are angularly ribbed as at 27, corresponding to the notches 19 while the forward edges of the sill blocks are inclined downwardly upon an angle corresponding to the nose portions 17 of the blocks. The entire block 6I is preferably cast as an integral unit from concrete or any other desirable material and may or may not include reinforcing therein.

In the assembly of the block 6 to form a louvered wall, the several sill blocks are installed across the lower side of the wall opening and properly leveled, as is customary. .A first course of blocks 6 is then engaged with the sill 26 in an interlocking manner as shown in Figure 6 and with the rib 27 determining the lateral alignment of the blocks. It is desirable that the blocks 6 in each alternate course be reversed in opposite directions sothat the tongues 9 in each alternate course constitute a spacing means at the ends of adjacent blocks, such spacing constituting a vertical mullion forming channel that is adapted to be filled with concrete prior to the installation of the header blocks 22. As each alternate course of blocks is laid, the longitudinal reinforcing straps are extended across the entire course of blocks and constitute reinforcing means that prevents lateral motion or shifting of the blocks under the influence of excessive wind pressures. The lips 9, as clearly shown in Figure 2 have substantially abutting relation with the flat end of the next adjacent block and the joints may obviously be provided with mortar. Vertical reinforcing rods 28 are disposed within the channels formed by the adjacent end Walls of adjacent blocks and the spacing tongues 9 and when the channel is filled with cement or concrete, the blocks are rigidly held together and effectively reinforced against movement. Due to the curvature of the web 10 and the projecting nose portion 17, the longitudinal straps 21 are substantially hidden from view. As each alternate course of blocks is laid, as before stated they are reversed and inverted so that their tongues 9 project in the opposite direction and overlie the tongues of the next lower course of blocks thus effectively interlocking the blocks one with the other so that the entire unit is molded together by the mullionV forming channels defined by the tongues 9. It is of course desirable that the vertical reinforcing rods 28 project downwardly to be embedded in a mortar joint of the sill blocks 26 and project upwardly to extend above the upper surface of the header forming blocks 22 whereby their upper ends will be embedded within the poured lintel of the building. Louvered blocks are obviously well known, but the block of this invention is formed in a manner whereby no particular skill is required in their installation, since each of the blocks is self-aligning with respect to its adjacent blocks and only requires that the lower course of blocks be accurately installed, after which the ad- ',ditional courses of blocks may be quickly and easily positioned in a minimum of time. In applicants Patent No. 2,216,420, the blocks were shaped to have an overlying relation to each other and considerable difculty was experienced in adequately uniting the ends of adjacent blocks. Also there was no provision made for the mullion forming channels nor was any provision .made for the longitudinal reinforcing.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that a very novel form of molded concrete block has been provided. The blocks as used in multiple form a very desirable louvered closure wall that permits of a free circulation of air therethrough. The mullion forming channels clearly add to the strength of the wall and, in combination with the longitudinal straps 21 and the vertical rods 28 provide an exceptionally rigid closure that will withstand wind pressures equal to the conventional solid concrete block wall. The drainage groove 16 further facilitates the drainage from the webs 11 and 12, depending on which position the blocks are laid in and tends to drain any water toward the ends of the block where it will normally run downwardly along the outer faces of the tongues 9. The blocks are ornamental in appearance, are exceptionally strong, durable and result in a very considerable saving in the cost of labor for the installation thereof, since no forms are required and only necessitate that the lower courses be accurately disposed Within the opening of the wall. However, where the sill members 26 are employed, the sill members are first installed accurately, after which the mechanic can proceed with facility in laying the additional courses of block 6. Having reached the upper-most course, the header blocks are then disposed in overlying interlocking relation to the upper-most nose portion 17 and the notches 18, which most effectively accurately aligns the header blocks 22 that constitute a finished header for the louvered wall closure.

It is to be understood that while a preferred form of the device has been illustrated and described, changes are contemplated as readily fall within the spirit of the invention as shall be determined by the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having described my invention, what I clairri as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A ventilated wall construction formed of a plurality of courses of concrete blocks that are laid in parallel and in end to end abutting relation, the blocks each having air passages extending transversely thereof, each of the blocks at one end having vertically arranged ribs and whereby the blocks in each course are held in spaced relation so that a plurality of courses of the blocks form a vertical void for the full height of the wall that is adapted to be filled with concrete and whereby to form a mullion that locks the block together, the blocks each having end walls that are connected together by a reversely curved web portion, the blocks being reversible transversely and having interlocking and aligning engagement when in superposed relation, the web portion having identical face portions to be alternately upwardly and outwardly disposed in accordance with the reversible laying of the block, each of the face portions being arcuately corrugated from the center of the block downwardly toward the ends and whereby to drain rain water toward the ends of the block.

2. A ventilated wall block for use in forming louvered wall sections that comprises a rectangularmolded concrete block having parallel end walls and a connecting reversely curved web portion, the web portion terminating in upper and lower parallel identical nose portions,'one end wall being provided with projecting parallel and vertically arranged ribs whereby to space the blocks apart when they are laid in end to end abutting engagement and lwhereby to form aV void between each pair of adjacent blocks, the upper and lower free corners of the end walls being angularly notched whereby to receive and form a seating alignment of the blocks when disposed in superposed relation, the blocks being reversible and whereby to dispose an outer upwardly facing portion of the web portion, the blocks being identical in cross-section and whereby a face portion of the web is alternately disposed outwardly and upwardly facing, the exposed portion of the web constituting the face being provided with means to drain water from the center of the face toward the ends of the block, the said portions providing tortuous air passages throughthe wall when the blocks are laid in parallel courses and whereby the inwardly disposed nose 5 portion of the web of one block is disposed at an elevation 1,171,036 above the lower nose portion of a next adjacent upper 1,191,363 block. 2,216,240

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,093,127 Haeger Apr. 14, 1914 Gamewell Feb. 8, 1916 Straight July 18, 1916 Rose Oct. 1, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Great` Britain May 6, 1942 

